Engine block electric-type water heater



Dec. 20, 1949 A. P. OLSON 2,492,001

ENGINE BLOCK ELECTRIC-TYPE WATER HEATER Filed July 21, 1947 Fig. 2/ Fig. 2.

ii 23 I} a 6 5 /2 9 /0 I /5 Fig I 3 Inventor Alf P; Olson Patented Dec. 20, 1949 ENGINE BLOCK ELECTRIC -TYPE WATER HEATER,

Alf P. Olson, Idaho Falls, Idaho Application July 21, 1947, Serial No. 762,301

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a novel and improved electric-type water circular and heater which is in the form of a compact attachment and is easily installed on any motor, the same serving to pre-heat idle engines by a controlled circulator-flow action of cooling fluid in one direction only.

Constructed essentially of non-corrosive metal, it is a type of heater which is approved by engine manufacturers, is low in cost and extremely economical in use .and is calculated to promote saving or time, batteries and other parts.

More particularly the invention has to do with an expedient and simple appliance that efiectively ends the problem of .starting a cold and otherwise difficult to start motor. It is designed and is therefore suitable for use on either stationary or mobile engines of varying types and sizes. When in useit materially reduces motor wear and depreciation and lengthens and enlivens the life of a storage battery.

The invention is designed to overcome the necessity of towin and pushing, an annoyin situation, and its use, in cold weather, obviates the necessity of idling the motor in layovers.

The form of the invention herein shown, described and claimed is an improvement upon a similarly constructed so-called engine block water heater covered in Patent No. 2,400,838 granted to me under date of May 21, 1946. Reference being had to the stated patent it will be seen that the latter comprehends an electric-type circulatory water heater attachment, for passenger cars, adapted for connection with a standard type block on a conventional internal combustion engine and is characterized by e, cylinder which is closed at one end, has .a reduced internally screw threaded neck at the opposite end, the cylinder being provided on the central portion of its normal bottom with a nipple to accommodate a hose for connection with an associated radiator. Further, there is provided, at diametrically opposite points, outstanding longitudinally spaced additional nipples and these serve to accommodate hose line connections which are adapted for connection with the customary expansion plug holes in the cylinder block. There is a screw-plug mounted in one end of the cylinder and this is provided with a heating core element, said element being located in spaced concentric relation on the interior of said cylinder, the plug being provided with a wrench grip and also with a current conducting cable having a plug for attachment to a suitable source of current supply.

Instead of three nipples the improved form of the invention herein covered is simply provided with two nipples, one at the central axial portion of one end of the cylinder and the other at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and the opposite plug accommodation head. The heater herein shown and described is of a smaller and lighter weight type and is such that it may be applied to the cylinder block and connected up with the radiator without the use of clamping bands, straps or other special fixtures and brackets.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the 101-. lowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are em ployed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of an engine showing the cylinder block and illustrating the improved electric-type, clrculator heater and one way in which it is mounted, horizontally, for use;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the same heater installed vertically; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view showing all of the details of construction of the heater.

The material used in manufacturing these heaters may be brass, aluminum or the like, any! thing of suitable nature which will not rust in use. The body of the heater as seen in Figure 3 of the drawing is a cylindrical shell 5 and this has an opening in the end 6,, the opening 1 communicating with an outstanding axial attaching nipple 8 to accommodate a hose 9 from the radiator, said hose fitting over the nipple and'being clamped thereto, as at 10. The opposite end 'por--' tion of the shell is thickened, as at H, and then provided with a reduced neck I2 and these portions are internally screw threaded to accommodate the screw threaded portion I3 of a core type electric heater, the core heating element l4 being located in spaced concentric relation on the interior of the cylinder as shown. The plug portion of the heater element is provided with a wrench grip l5 and an electric current supply cord l6 having a fitting I! on its end to accommodate a prong plug is on a current supply cord l9 from a suitable source (see Fig. 1). The side circulator port in the shell is denoted by the numeral 20 as seen in Figure 3 and lines up with a lateral nipple 2| to accommodate an L-shaped short hose 22 clamped in place as at 23. The hose is adapted. to be secured and anchored in the expansion plug 24 in the motor block 25 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will be noted that the nipple 2| is radial and projects outwardly beyond the shell and close to the end of the cylinder which accommodates the screw plug electric heater unit. The nipple 8 is at the left hand end and is axial to the longitudinal axis of said shell and is thus in alignment with the core M.

In this small type heater the same may be applied either horizontally or vertically. In Figure 1 we see same installed to take a horizontal position while in Figure 2 we see it occupying a vertical position. The hose is of suitable strength, and it is unnecessary to employ special clamping brackets and fixtures (not shown). In this type of heater a short hose about two to four inches in length is sufiicient to afford a suitable connection between the shell and the block of the engine. The inlet hose, at the length, will depend on the length or distance between the radiator and installed heater.

These heaters may vary in length from about two inches to twelve inches, depending on the watts used. The watts will vary from about 450 to 1000, depending on the size of motor to be heated and the outside temperature. The heater may be left on over night if the temperature is extremely cold, or it may be turned on for an hour or so before starting the motor. If the temperature is not very cold, the heater can be connected indefinitely and will not get too hot.

My invention is an appliance that effectively ends the problem of starting a cold and stubborn motor. It is designed for use on either stationary or mobile engines of all sizes. It is available in two types electric or gas-burner heated. In use it materially reduces motor wear and depreciation. Battery life is materially lengthened. Cost of terminal heating can be cut substantially. Towing becomes unnecessary. Motors need not be kept idling in layovers. Operation schedules lose less time. In a hundred and one ways the device aids better operation and saves many times its cost. It is designed for adaptation to most types of Diesel or gas motors built.

It requires small space for installation and is the model recommended for passenger car installation. These units operate simply by plugging into any 110-volt electric circuit. Light in weight it is contained in a streamlined, stainless" aluminum housing. Requires little or no care and adds no service problem. On passenger cars, it assures an instant start, reduces starting wear on motor and improves motor lubrication. It eliminates grinding drain on batteries. Winters most severe motoring problems disappear when this little device is installed.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafer claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An electric circulatory water heater attachment expressly designed for attachment to a conventional internal combustion engine block comprising a water collecting and heating cylinder of one-piece form, said cylinder being of relatively small proportions and capacity and provided at one end with a thickened portion embodying a reduced internally screw threaded neck and provided at its opposite end with an integral nipple, said nipple being axially centered and be-' ing adapted to telescope into an end portion of a hose, said cylinder being provided at the first named end portion with an integral outstanding nipple and said last named nipple being adapted to telescope into a second hose to permit one hose to be connected with a conventional type radiator and the other hose to be connected with the customary expansion plug hole in the stated cylinder block, the arrangement of nipples being such that the cylinder may be supported from the motor block in either vertical or horizontal positions in relation to the block and supported entirely by the hose which serves to connect the cylinder with said cylinder block, and a screw plug having an electric heating core element, said core element being located in spaced concentric relation on the interior of said cylinder, said screw plug being inserted into said neck and being provided with a wrench grip and an electric currentconducting cable.

ALF P. OLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,361,017 Clayton et al Dec. 7, 1920 1,482,574 Meyer Feb. 5, 1924 1,512,517 Astrom Oct. 21, 1924. 1,575,580 Johnstone Mar. 2, 1926 2,400,838 Olson May 21, 1946 

